§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the-Exchequer when the Vote for Law Charges will be taken; and if he will give facilities for the discussion of the costs of the British Museum in connection with the Irish gold ornaments; if he will state what is the amount of these costs; and if he will lay the opinion of the Law Officers of Ireland and England upon the Table prior to the Vote, together with the text of the Treasury Demand for the surrender of these ornaments, the reply of the British Museum thereto, and the answer filed by the. British Museum in the case.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHWe have not yet been able to move the Speaker out of the Chair on Civil Service Estimates, and, therefore, I cannot say when the Vote for Law Charges will be taken, nor can I promise any facilities for the discussion of the matter referred to in the Question. The amount of the costs, cannot be ascertained till after the trial. As for the Papers for which the hon. Member asks, I understand they would prove a bulky correspondence, and I think that the hon. Member's object may be met by a short statement of what has 597 passed since the last Papers were published, which I will undertake to send to him.
§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)Will the right hon. Gentleman see that other Members of the House, as well as hon. Gentlemen opposite, see the statement?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHYes; I will send the noble Lord a copy.